WELCOME BACK. SOME OF THE BIGGEST NAMES IN AMERICAN EATING. GETTING THEIR FLOWERS, AS THE KIDS LIKE TO SAY IN CHICAGO. THE NEWEST SLATE OF JAMES BEARD AWARD WINNERS WERE ANNOUNCED LAST NIGHT, AND THERE ARE THREE REPRESENTATIVES FROM NEW ENGLAND. LOMA. IT’S A TINY LITTLE SPOT IN PROVIDENCE’S FEDERAL HILL WON FOR BEST NEW BAR FROM PORTLAND, MAINE. DANA STREET WON FOR BEST RESTAURATEUR. HE RUNS STANDARD BAKING COMPANY FOR STREET AND OTHER MAIN HIGHLIGHTS. AND EVAN HENNESSEY FROM DOVER, NEW HAMPSHIRE, WON BEST CHEF IN THE NORTHEAST FOR HIS WORK AT STAGES. NO. NOBODY HERE

A Rhode Island bar, a restaurateur from Maine and a New Hampshire chef have won prestigious 2026 James Beard Awards.The James Beard Awards are among the nation’s most prestigious culinary honors. They honor those who are creating exceptional food, food media content and better food systems — while also demonstrating a commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability and a culture where all can thrive. The awards have been called the Oscars of the food world. Dana Street, the founder of several restaurants in Portland, Maine, including Fore Street, Scales, Standard Baking Co., won the award for “Outstanding Restaurateur,” over four other finalists from California, North Carolina, Louisiana and Texas.”The title of this award is interesting; I think the word outstanding is a good word because it talks about the excellence which we all aspire to deliver in our organizations,” said Street during his acceptance speech. “I don’t think we beat anybody. We’re very proud to have joined all the people in this audience who do excellent work and we’re proud to be among you.”Loma, a tiny bar in Providence, Rhode Island’s Federal Hill, won for “Best New Bar,” and Evan Hennessey, at Stages in Dover, New Hampshire, won for “Best Chef: Northeast.” Earlier this year, the list of restaurant and chef nominees was released. Check out WCVB’s visits to some of the establishments below: Video: Boston’s first Sake bar named one of best new restaurants in worldVideo: EyeOpener Eats: Comfort Kitchen

BOSTON —

A Rhode Island bar, a restaurateur from Maine and a New Hampshire chef have won prestigious 2026 James Beard Awards.

The James Beard Awards are among the nation’s most prestigious culinary honors. They honor those who are creating exceptional food, food media content and better food systems — while also demonstrating a commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability and a culture where all can thrive. The awards have been called the Oscars of the food world.

Dana Street, the founder of several restaurants in Portland, Maine, including Fore Street, Scales, Standard Baking Co., won the award for “Outstanding Restaurateur,” over four other finalists from California, North Carolina, Louisiana and Texas.

“The title of this award is interesting; I think the word outstanding is a good word because it talks about the excellence which we all aspire to deliver in our organizations,” said Street during his acceptance speech. “I don’t think we beat anybody. We’re very proud to have joined all the people in this audience who do excellent work and we’re proud to be among you.”

Loma, a tiny bar in Providence, Rhode Island’s Federal Hill, won for “Best New Bar,” and Evan Hennessey, at Stages in Dover, New Hampshire, won for “Best Chef: Northeast.”

Earlier this year, the list of restaurant and chef nominees was released.

Check out WCVB’s visits to some of the establishments below:

Video: Boston’s first Sake bar named one of best new restaurants in world

Video: EyeOpener Eats: Comfort Kitchen